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Appeal for information about Durham war heroes

A MUSEUM is hoping to find out more about five County Durham war heroes.

The DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery is appealing for information about the soldiers as part of a project to redevelop its First World War education programme for secondary schools.

The museum, which has received funding from Arts Council England for the initiative, is working with pupils from Durham Johnston School and art organisation The Forge.

The pupils are being asked to help interpret the stories of real soldiers who fought during the Great War and who have connections to the area and the school and, in particular, those listed on the school’s war memorial.

Ros Evans, DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery education officer, said: “By using the stories of real soldiers who lived in our area, we hope to really bring their experiences to life, which is why we need to hear from their families.

“We are especially keen to find out more about AN Brown, J Duke, W Smurthwaite, GF Wood and CN Crawshaw, who are all named on the memorial, as well as FG Cousins, who was a teacher at the school and who survived the war.”

Anyone with information about these soldiers or any others listed on the school’s memorial should contact Julie Phipps on 0191-384-2214 or email julie.phipps@durham.gov.uk For more information about the museum’s collection, exhibitions and talks, or to book tickets, call 0191-384-2214, emaildli@durham.gov.uk or visit www.durham.gov.uk/dli.